CVE-2025-62988 is a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability identified in the Codeless Slider Templates plugin, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.0.3. SSRF vulnerabilities occur when an attacker can manipulate a server-side application to make HTTP requests to arbitrary domains or IP addresses, potentially accessing internal systems or sensitive data that would otherwise be inaccessible externally. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker with high privileges (PR:H) to craft requests that the server processes without user interaction (UI:N). The CVSS vector indicates the attack can be performed remotely (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), but requires authenticated access with high privileges, limiting the attack surface. The impact primarily affects confidentiality (C:H), as the attacker could access sensitive internal resources or metadata, but does not affect integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no patches are currently linked, suggesting the vulnerability is newly disclosed. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress environments to create sliders and templates for websites, meaning that vulnerable installations could be targeted for internal network reconnaissance or data exfiltration. The lack of user interaction reduces the complexity of exploitation once high privileges are obtained. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in handling server-side requests and validating input parameters to prevent SSRF attacks.

For European organizations, the SSRF vulnerability in Codeless Slider Templates poses a moderate risk primarily to confidentiality. Attackers who gain high-level access to affected web servers could exploit this flaw to access internal network resources, potentially leading to exposure of sensitive data such as internal APIs, metadata services, or other protected systems. This could facilitate further lateral movement or reconnaissance within the organization's network. Although the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the information disclosure could aid attackers in mounting more severe attacks. Organizations with public-facing WordPress sites using this plugin are particularly at risk. The medium CVSS score reflects the need for authenticated high privileges, which somewhat limits the threat but does not eliminate it. Given the widespread use of WordPress and related plugins in Europe, especially in sectors like government, finance, and media, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or by insiders. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests that proactive mitigation can prevent exploitation. However, failure to address this vulnerability could lead to data breaches or compromise of internal infrastructure.

1. Monitor for and apply vendor patches or updates for Codeless Slider Templates as soon as they become available to remediate the SSRF vulnerability. 2. Restrict outbound HTTP requests from web servers hosting the plugin using firewall rules or network segmentation to limit the server's ability to reach internal or sensitive resources. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on any parameters that influence server-side requests to prevent malicious manipulation. 4. Enforce the principle of least privilege by limiting administrative access to the plugin and the web server to only trusted users. 5. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans on WordPress installations to identify outdated or vulnerable plugins. 6. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block SSRF attack patterns. 7. Monitor server logs for unusual outbound request activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Educate administrators and developers about SSRF risks and secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code or third-party plugins.